President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged regional leaders to give young people an active role in shaping Southeast Asia rather than leaving them as mere spectators, speaking on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
The appeal came during the ASEAN Leaders’ dialogue with youth representatives on the sidelines of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, ASEAN.org reported. During the interface, youth representatives from all member states presented the 5th ASEAN Youth Statement following a dialogue themed around building a resilient, digital, and inclusive future.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today joined ASEAN Leaders in their Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, held on the sidelines of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila, the Philippines. During the Interface, Youth Representatives from all… pic.twitter.com/QsK1nNm5fD
“I am especially pleased that our young people are here not simply to witness our discussion, but to help shape the direction of our region,” Marcos said, as reported by Politiko.com.ph.
“To our youth representatives, I encourage you to speak with confidence in the value of your ideas. To my fellow leaders, I invite you to listen carefully with open minds and a shared sense of purpose,” Marcos added.
The event gathered regional figures including Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Malaysia Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, Timor-Leste Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs Milena Rangel, Vietnam Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister Hangchuon Naron, Laos Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsavanh Sisoulath, and Myanmar Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department Han Win Aung, alongside ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
Marcos noted that while young people contribute by building businesses, developing technologies, and serving communities, many still face obstacles in accessing financing, education, and employment. He also pointed to insecurity, exclusion, and harmful online environments as central concerns.
“In an age of rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and persistent threats to peace, young people need more than words of encouragement,” Marcos said, according to Politiko.com.ph. “You need institutions that listen, opportunities that are within reach, and communities in which you can live and contribute safely.”
Around 200 youth leaders gathered at the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center from October 22 to 24 for the ASEAN Youth Conference 2026, as reported. Delegates developed the ASEAN Youth Digital Democracy Declaration 2026, offering policy recommendations across the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, and ASEAN Economic Community pillars.
“The value of a declaration lies not only in the words it contains, but also in the conversations it encourages, the partnerships it helps initiate, and the actions it may inspire beyond this gathering,” said Lee Troy Calimlim, Project Head of AYC 2026 and Country Director of AYO Philippines, in reporting by When In Manila.
“What is common is that everyone is passionate about co-creating meaningful solutions to contemporary governance challenges,” said Ms Ong Toon Hui, Vice Dean and Executive Director of the Institute for Governance and Leadership at LKYSPP.
